About this title: The Prestons bring alive both the grand sweep of Moghul history and the memorable details in this story of the Taj Mahal. Their narrative puts a human face on the marble masterpiece.
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Description: Very Good. Former Library book. Great condition for a used book! Minimal wear. Shipped to over one million happy customers. Your purchase benefits world literacy! read more
Edition: Advanced Reading Copy. Annotated. Illustrated.
Binding: Wraps
Publisher: Walker & Company
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780802715111ISBN:0802715117
Description: Fine. No dust jacket as issued. This is NOT a hardcover book, but is a paperback ARC (Advance Reader's Copy), an uncorrected proof. There is some light rubbing visible on the back cover, not very obvious. The book itself is clean, unmarked, appears... 309 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Edition: Annotated. Illustrated.
Binding: Hardcover
Publisher: Walker & Company
Date Published: 2007
ISBN-13:9780802715111ISBN:0802715117
Description: Fine in fine dust jacket. Glued binding. Paper over boards. With dust jacket. 317 p. Contains: Illustrations. Audience: General/trade. read more
Description: Good. Ex-Public Library. CDs have been professonally polished. Unabridged. Narrator James Adams. Covers show some wear. Usual library stickers and stamps. Save a tree-buy used.. read more
Binding: Paperback
Publisher: Walker & Company
Date Published: 2008
ISBN-13:9780802716736ISBN:0802716733
Description: New. Brand New! Buy with confidence-your satisfaction is guaranteed at B-Logistics! Due to the large scale of our operation, we do not have access to the specific contents/condition of our items. Please note that Expedited shipping is not available at this time. read more
Binding: Softcover
Publisher: Walker & Co
Date Published: 2008-02-05
ISBN-13:9780802716736ISBN:0802716733
Description: NEW. Softcover. From an inventory that is 100% brand-new, 100% direct from the publishers' distribution channel. We carry NO pre-owned, NO remaindered. We pack in CARDBOARD to ensure the pristine quality is maintained. (Bubble-wrap alone is NOT sufficient to protect from USPS equipment. ) Guaranteed brand-NEW, protected with CARDBOARD, your satisfaction is guaranteed. BKLUVID: 9780802716736. read more
Edition: First Edition
Binding: Hardcover; First Printing
ISBN-13:9780802715111ISBN:0802715117
Description: Fine in Fine dust jacket. Hardcover. Walker & Company, 2007. 1st Edition/1st Printing. Fine Book in Fine Dust Jacket. Price Intact. Overall, a clean and tight copy to add to a collection or read and enjoy. Dust Jacket protected with a new archival cover. Bubble wrapped and shipped promptly in a box. read more
"This book provides a broad historical context for the building of the Taj Mahal, focusing on the few generations of Mughal emperors that led up to Shah Jahan, its builder, and ending with the death of his son, who imprisoned Shah Jahan. A few chapters are substantially dedicated to the architecture, design and construction of the Taj itself. So, if you're looking for a hyper-detailed physical examination of the structure alone, this book is not for you. On the other hand, it is impossible to understand the place the Taj holds in Indian history and in India's society today without its historical context. The questions of why Shah Jahan built it, what motivated him, what his life experiences and his relationship with his queen were leading up to the day the decision to build was made are all addressed by the authors. The book, written by two British historians, does present the fascinating story of the Mughals from a stubbornly western and British experience, which has both its pluses and minuses. But I confess fascination with the contemporary descriptions of various events and experiences the Prestons included, that came from a few European travelers who had access to their royal hosts' official lives. The authors also did an excellent job of presenting both sides of the evidence when it came to factually contested questions, suggesting their own conclusions but ultimately leaving the analysis for the reader to decide.
As someone whose ancestral home is a mere 20 kilometers from the site of the Taj Mahal, I thoroughly enjoyed using this book to plug in the gaps in knowledge from my numerous visits to the monument, and the gaps in stories often recited to me by my Indian relatives. I highly recommend this read for anyone who wants to visit the Taj (and if you are a westerner traveling to India, you almost certainly will be), or who wants an introduction to the history of the Mughal empire in India."
"A very descriptive historical account of the events and generations of people involved leading to the construction of the Taj Mahal. The book is written as a smoothly flowing story that succeeds in transporting the reader to that time and place in the history of India."
"Great book. I went in unsure about whether I would like this or not, and almost quit a couple times, but I'm glad I endured. It gives an interesting human context for the building of the Taj Mahal, and the lifestyles of the Mongul emporers that ruled in India at the time."
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